Wood River times. [volume] (Hailey, Idaho) 1882-1915, 1887-08-12
LEE CHUNG'S ROMANCE.
Written for this paper

Written for this paperl
No happier mortal ever lived in Mott street
the abode of the Chinese in New York, than
little Lee Chung, the Chinese "art penman."
This was his high sounding title in the
language of Confucius. 1t was not exactly
correct, as the almond eyed race never uses
a pen, but writes, figures and draws with but
one implement, the brush With the came's
hair pencil Lee was an artist. He designed
programmes for funeral festivities, memo
rial cards for defunct ancestors and illustrated
prayers to Buddha for fathers who desired
twins, which were considered masterpieces
of the penman's art and which brought fabu-
lous prices for their maker in Quantung anc
even distant Foo Chow.
The world went we'll with the little artist.
He had a goodly bank account with Yuet
Sing, the rich banker, and large roll OF bills
in the stem Of bamboo pipe in his work
room. All day long his merry voice was
heard in the building, sometimes intoninC
the queer love songs OF the Orient and some
times singing in the shrill falsetto of China
the ballads and poems of his home
On the floor above the artist lived young
girl named Bella Jones. She was a country
girl who had come to New York to seek
fortune, and who, forced by necessity into
the terrible but inexpensive life Of the Sixth
ward tenements, had gradually learned their
language, ways and ideas.
She was very pretty. Large black eyes,
curly brown hair, good features, an olive
complexion and trim figure made up a
picture that was always admired by the
neighborhood. And she was not bad at heart
The atmosphere Of Mott street may have
dwarfed and even killed much of her spiritual
att butt ha,a ctill in ar hoar war;
affection, geniality, hope and ambition. The
ambition was not of high order; it was
simply to become the wife of Diamond
Harry" the ideal young man of her social
circle.
The gentleman with the neurological name
was one of those types that appear only in the
great cities. He was handsome, well dressed.
good talker and always had money in abun-
dance. He was generous and high spirited
and seemed i'll every way to belle the vague
whispers to his discredit that occasionally
reached Bella's ears. He liked Bella, and had
taken her to the theatre once and once to
Coney Island. The days on which these events
occurred were to the infatuated girl glimpses
of that paradise which long she had believed
in with all her heart.
Bella had often seen the artist, but beyond
| speaking few words, and once in mischie.
throwing him kiss, had given him nc
| thought. One evening as she entered the
front door Lee Chung stepped forward, shool
his own hands violently, and said:
"Bella, you like silk!'
"Whenever can get it, Lee,' she answered
$50 | think. Give you this. Like you vely
much" and, placing package in her hand
urned and disappeared in his rooms. Curiou,
| 20 know its contents, she hurried to her apart
| -roapts whore Sha Gppt hnpSa t1uo otho
iris, and opened the bundle There lay q
white Chinese silk shawl, embroidered in gold
md balbaric colors, much like those she haG
seen and admired in the great shop windows
Of Broadway. A little scream of delight
| brought her roomlnates to her side, and fol
an hour the trio passed their time in trying
the shawl on, one after another, i'll every style
conceivable
So began Lee Chung's courtship. 1t was
| strange experience to the woman, but not al
unpleasant one. The little artist apparently
thought for hours how he could please OF
benefit her. One DIV 10 wo,''1 send her pc,
Of flowers, the next day pair Of stockings
| rLen there came q fan and thereafter an as
soitnlent of provisions.
Once, when passing his room, the wei
worn sole of her shoe caught splinter in tn
floor and she nearly fell. The next evening
n new pair of French boots were gravel,
handed her by her lover. BY degrees she be
gan to like him. His courtesy, tact and gen
eroSity We're rare to one in her station, ant
all the more agreeable, as Diamond Harr,
was neglecting her for other girls in TIL
| neighborhood, and ali involuntary contras
arose in her mind between the Caucasian an,
he Mongolian admirer. Though it was no
n the formp, Is favor, she still chung to hin
with the blind persstency of her SEX
One evening she returned home in a rage
Business was bad, the factory where sh
worked running on half time, and, to max,
matters douby worse, Harry, who had prom
'Sed to take her to Niblo's that evening, haa
just sent word that lie had changed his min,
and was going to take her chief rival Will
she was in this mood there came a tap on tn
door, She called to the visitor, "Come in +!
The door opened and Lee entered.
"How do, BelIa!"
Every well, Lee. Take chair and b
comfortable"
"Ihauk YOU" but before sitting he pro
duced from within his blouse bouquet,
box of candy and a package of cigarettes, al
Of which he laid tenderly in her lap. H
sat down smiling at her, and after minute
silence said:
Bella, you velly good gal, velly petty
velly nice Me love you velly much. M
good enough man; have good business; NAL.
heap Of money; got more than five thousan
dollies. Me give it all to you. You be M
wife?"
Bella thought for moment and said tina
she would. On the following day. half re
gretful at the engagement, and still vexe,
With Diamond Harry, she met the latter O,
he street, and chiefly from spite told him n
news. He removed the cigarette from hi
lips and coolly remarked: CHATS a GOO
catch, Bella; congratulate you He's YER
good chink and has got the dust. Just yo1
nail him for it as quick as possible It's goin
20 be cold winter for all OF us, and you'll b
we'll fixed to take care Of us if luck is bad"
She was about to say something, bu
wounded pride and rage overmastered he
power of speech. She turned with a snee
written across her face and left him
The wedding was celebrated in good Not
street style, beer, sandwiches, whisky an
cake for American friends, and sherry, ing
Sa-peh, mooncakes, stewed chicken and cigar
cites for the Chinese, all of Bella's friends be
ing present but Diamond Harry There wa
no prouder man than Lee Chung He GOV
cred his wife and their home with the expires